Workspace of the Week: An Unclutterer’s office
This week’s Workspace of the Week is my office:
For more than two years I was working at a minimalist work station, which ultimately wasn’t meeting my needs. All of the items I needed to do my job were across the room in my Mary Poppins closet and not nearby for efficient work. In January, I hit my breaking point and decided to makeover my office. Minimalism was out, and convenience and efficiency moved in.
I wrote about the transformation process in a series of four posts in my RealSimple.com column:
- Home office makeover, part 1
- Home office makeover, part 2
- Home office makeover, part 3
- Home office makeover, part 4
I’m not an interior designer, so it’s not the prettiest office ever featured on our site. However, it is organized and meets every one of my needs. Plus, I’m pretty sure a few of you were curious as to what an Unclutterer’s office looks like. Enjoy!
Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.
Posted by Erin on Feb 13, 2009 |
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23 comments posted
Posted by Tabitha (From Single to Married) - 02/13/2009
Love it!! (Of course I have the same system in white, so you’d hope so!) I like it much better now and I agree that sometimes you just have to have the extra space. I also like how you showed the set up and design too, very nice!
Posted by Peter (a different one) - 02/13/2009
Love it, too! It’s exactly what I am looking to do when I get my new office. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Maura - 02/13/2009
I know there are probably really good reasons, but can you tell me why some people have two monitors in their work stations?
Otherwise, enjoyed your RS artilces – thanks for posting!
Posted by Dream Mom DBAwww.dreamorganizers.com - 02/13/2009
Nice. I really like it. Sometimes using a wall makes good sense. I love minimalist setups as well however there are times when you do need more space. Using your time efficiently, by having items close, is just as important as using your space wisely.
The only thing that seems a bit odd is the lamp. The style is fine it just looks like it sticks out a bit. Would it be possible to have some under shelf lighting to accomplish the same thing?
Overall, excellent job. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Posted by Erin Doland - 02/13/2009
@Dream Mom — I agree, the lamp is weird. I need a more directional task-lighting piece … but I haven’t yet found one I like. The current lamp is a hold-over from the previous space.
@Maura — Check out our article on multiple monitors for my reasoning. The article is a bit long-winded (sorry about that), but I think should answer your question: http://unclutterer.com/2008/10.....-monitors/
Posted by Pam in Missouri - 02/13/2009
Great job. I love to see this kind of efficiency. The design asethetic doesn’t really float my boat but it is great that it works for you and you love it. Sounds like it works great with the overall design of your home.
I would be interested in seeing how your closet has changed now that you’ve moved some items to the open shelves. Are you storing new stuff in there or are you experiencing the delight of some empty space? Alas, I have never experienced an empty space for more than a couple minutes. Clutter abhors a vacuum and I’m still fighting it off.
Thanks for sharing your journey.
Posted by tuppenz - 02/13/2009
How do you see those photos on the top shelf? Also, those empty Pepsi bottles must be pretty special sitting by the mug which is totally out of reach.
Posted by Erin Doland - 02/13/2009
@tuppenz — I can’t see the paintings when I’m sitting down, but you can see them from every place else in the room. Both are paintings by a British artist … on the left is a scene from the movie Amelie, and the right is a scene from the movie The Big Lebowski. They make me laugh.
The soda bottles are from when I was an exchange student in the Soviet Union in 1990 while Gorbachev was still in power. I kept very little from my time there. I have some pictures, a necklace, and these two bottles. They’re not financially valuable (at least, not that I know of), but they’re valuable to me.
The mug up on the top shelf isn’t a drinking mug, it’s a class mug. I don’t know what to do with it. I haven’t been able to part with it, so it’s on display … I sincerely believe that if I keep something it needs to be out where I can enjoy it. However, it’s kind of weird. For now, it’s just living there.
Posted by Jill - 02/13/2009
Thanks for sharing the process with us. It was so helpful to see how you planned and executed the plan.
Enjoy the new space!
Posted by Elliot - 02/13/2009
Now that I go back and look at your post on your “Mary Poppins Closet” where did you get those bi-fold doors? Everywhere I look, I can’t find read-made 8′ tall bifold doors, and ordering them from Home Depot was going to cost almost $800.
That said, I do prefer your new layout. The modular shelving as work-space has a very clean and modern feel to it. I have been considering something like that, but already have built-in book shelves on one of the walls in my home office.
Posted by tuppenz - 02/13/2009
I knew the Pepsi bottles had to be special, which they are. I’m glad the items on your top shelf are visible when you are standing – from the photo it looks as if they are close to the ceiling.
I have a “monster” made out of a few pieces of wood by one of my grandsons when he was a toddler. It sits in the corner of the half-bath in my house and I wouldn’t dream of getting rid of it. He has colored it with a few “genius” strokes of a pink crayon. The fact that it is a monster is only obvious to the two of us.
Posted by Shalin - 02/13/2009
Erin, that looks really neat and organized. I was wondering about if it’s not visually overwhelming for you. I love the structure and organization of the shelving unit and use of your existing furniture.
However, when I look at organized units like that, I personally feel a strong urge of cover up shelves above seated eye-level for it to be visually quiet. Just with some plain bedsheet material, etc. I just like a big clean view – so having some hanging curtains for each shelf would work for me – especially if I really have to sit and think.
Thoughts?
Best,
Shalin
P.S. – Love the “Mary Poppins closet” name
Posted by Erin Doland - 02/13/2009
@Shalin — When I’m working, all I can see is the bulletin board behind my computer. On it are inspirational items, so I don’t mind looking at them.
My husband and I are the only two people who regularly come into this room, so I’m not really that concerned about its aesthetic. When I was putting it together, I was only thinking about convenience. If it were in a higher foot traffic space, then maybe I would do some sort of roller blinds or cabinet doors. Since I can’t see the other shelves while I’m working, though, it doesn’t bother me.
Posted by Aaron Rabideau - 02/13/2009
I adopted a setup using this type of shelving hardware about 4 years ago. After my first purchase from an organizational store similar (like the Container Store) I saw identical hardware (except for the extra deep desk shelf and its supports) at Home Depot for one quarter the price. I’m not sure if they’re still carrying them but it might be worth checking out for anyone who is thinking of going this route.
Posted by bekah - 02/13/2009
The only thing that seems odd, is the placement of the sewing machine. How difficult is it to access and use? Seems like back strain whenever you needed to get it down.
I, too, keep my sewing machine on a shelf. It’s only a few feet off the ground and the carry case is in place so I just lift the handle.
Posted by Erin Doland - 02/13/2009
@bekah — My sewing machine is really light. Also, it’s below shoulder height for me. I’m pretty tall.
Posted by Linda - 02/14/2009
Love the post in the Real Simple…and absolutely love elfa! A note to Aaron, have had to replace the “less expensive version” of this system in my closet one time too many to not stick with the product…having said that you get what you pay for.
Posted by Kim - 02/14/2009
Love it!! The Real Simple pieces made me miss designing elfa, a little bit, but I love your set up.
(I worked at the Container Store for a couple years. Space Planning was one of my favorite parts of the job, and I used to be pretty good at it. It’s also the most surprising skill from that job that turned out to be really useful in my current job, which is working for an affordable housing organization. Who knew?)
Posted by Mardi - 02/15/2009
I love the new office setup – I read your posts on it in Real Simple with interest.
Funny thing is, it made me really want an office like it… then I realised I already do have something kind of similar, so you’ve actually made me appreciate what I have more.
Posted by chaotic kitten - 02/15/2009
Fascinating to see your office, thank you for sharing, it looks great!
Posted by Scott Roewer - 02/19/2009
Great job with the office makeover. A friend once said to me “You’re an elfa® whore” because I’m such a believer. With a top track held every 8″ – installation can’t get much easier then that!
My clients are amazed at how quickly it goes up. Question – Did the 5 hours include moving out your old system and organizing everything in its place, or is that how long it took you to hang the elfa®?
Readers should note the solid shelves require 24″ each and that they can not be cut by the store. I’d also point out what I think takes the most time during installation – removing the damn stickers from the product!
Again, great job. PS – Love the Mac.
Posted by Erin Doland - 02/19/2009
The 5 hours included installation and then setting up all of my components with cables: laptop, monitor, phone, speakers, lights, printer, etc.
Thank you for the kind words, Scott!!
Posted by WebWorkerDaily » Archive 5 Inspirational Workspaces « - 02/28/2009
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